Population Monitoring and Removal Strategies for Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) in Chesapeake Bay
USGS is helping with the design of a population survey and developing mathematical models to assess potential activities to manage the population of invasive blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) in the Chesapeake Bay. This research will help managers determine the cost and feasibility of approaches to control this invasive species.
What is the issue?
Following introductions to the eastern U.S. for recreational fishing in the 1970s, populations of blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) have grown dramatically in many tidal tributaries in recent years and blue catfish is now considered invasive to the Chesapeake Bay. Uncertainty about blue catfish population size and growth hinder management decisions to address the invasion.
What’s at stake?
The characteristics that have allowed blue catfish to so dramatically expand their range including large size, long lifespan and varied diet make them a threat to important regional fisheries such as striped bass, American shad, and blue crab, among others. However, without a better understanding of current abundance and population growth rate, any steps taken to control blue catfish in Chesapeake Bay may be inefficient or ineffective. Managers also need to determine how to monitor populations before and after control activities to assess the impact of management actions.
What is our approach?
To better understand and work towards controlling population growth of invasive blue catfish in Chesapeake Bay, USGS is using quantitative methods to model population trends of blue catfish and to evaluate alternative management actions. USGS will also assist Maryland Department of Natural Resources to design a monitoring program for monitoring trends in relative abundance of blue catfish to help evaluate the effectiveness of management actions and further inform the mathematical models.
What are the benefits?
Mathematical modeling can assist in evaluating and quantifying the cost of alternative management actions before committing resources to a specific approach. Results from this study will help Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Chesapeake Bay Program and others determine how changes in relative abundance may affect future population size and age structure of blue catfish in Chesapeake Bay and ultimately inform what actions managers take to address this invasive species.
Invasive Blue Catfish Science to Support Conservation and Fisheries Management
Eastern Ecological Science Center partnership with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
USGS is helping with the design of a population survey and developing mathematical models to assess potential activities to manage the population of invasive blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) in the Chesapeake Bay. This research will help managers determine the cost and feasibility of approaches to control this invasive species.
What is the issue?
Following introductions to the eastern U.S. for recreational fishing in the 1970s, populations of blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) have grown dramatically in many tidal tributaries in recent years and blue catfish is now considered invasive to the Chesapeake Bay. Uncertainty about blue catfish population size and growth hinder management decisions to address the invasion.
What’s at stake?
The characteristics that have allowed blue catfish to so dramatically expand their range including large size, long lifespan and varied diet make them a threat to important regional fisheries such as striped bass, American shad, and blue crab, among others. However, without a better understanding of current abundance and population growth rate, any steps taken to control blue catfish in Chesapeake Bay may be inefficient or ineffective. Managers also need to determine how to monitor populations before and after control activities to assess the impact of management actions.
What is our approach?
To better understand and work towards controlling population growth of invasive blue catfish in Chesapeake Bay, USGS is using quantitative methods to model population trends of blue catfish and to evaluate alternative management actions. USGS will also assist Maryland Department of Natural Resources to design a monitoring program for monitoring trends in relative abundance of blue catfish to help evaluate the effectiveness of management actions and further inform the mathematical models.
What are the benefits?
Mathematical modeling can assist in evaluating and quantifying the cost of alternative management actions before committing resources to a specific approach. Results from this study will help Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Chesapeake Bay Program and others determine how changes in relative abundance may affect future population size and age structure of blue catfish in Chesapeake Bay and ultimately inform what actions managers take to address this invasive species.